Lexi Webster
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a freely available card for citizens of EU/EEC countries. It is important to note that the EHIC is not a substitute for medical insurance and is only valid for temporary stays in Austria. The EHIC enables cardholders to access state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or for free. This includes medically necessary transport and treatment at a university or regional hospital that has a contract with the healthcare fund of the federal state. However, it does not cover private health treatment, so cardholders must ensure they are treated by a provider with a contract with the GKK regional health insurance offices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is it for? | Citizens of member states of the EU/EEC |
| What does it cover? | State-provided healthcare |
| How much does it cost? | Free or reduced cost |
| What does it not cover? | Private health treatment |
| Who accepts it? | Doctors under the state system displaying signs "Kassenarzt" or "Alle Kassen" |
| Where is it valid? | Austria and other EU, EEA, Switzerland, the UK, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| Who needs it? | Each co-insured family member needs their own EHIC |
| When is it valid? | When staying in a country temporarily |
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What You'll Learn
EHIC cardholders' access to state-provided healthcare
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not a substitute for medical insurance but does enable the cardholder to access state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It is important to note that the EHIC does not cover private health treatment, so you must ensure you are treated by a provider who has a contract with the GKK regional health insurance offices. Doctors who operate under the state system usually display signs saying "Kassenarzt", which means "contracted doctor", or "alle Kassen", which means "all insurers". Dentists who have a contract with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund will not charge you. Treatment (in the general price category) is free of charge at university and regional hospitals that have a contract with the healthcare fund of the federal state concerned ("Landesgesundheitsfonds"). A referral from a doctor is needed (except in emergencies).
The EHIC is only valid if you are staying in Austria temporarily (e.g. for a vacation, business trip, or studying abroad). Anyone who lives or works in another European country is either covered by local health insurance or requires a separate certificate to claim medical benefits. In many other countries, you must bring an international treatment certificate with you. If you are staying in the country for longer than six months, you are considered a resident and will have to pay contributions for medical care to one of the local insurance institutions. You will then receive an e-card that will give you access to free healthcare when living in Austria.
The e-card makes travelling abroad easier. The reverse of the e-card shows the EHIC. The EHIC substitutes the international health insurance voucher (form E 111) for the claim of medical treatment during temporary visits (for example, a holiday) in member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland.
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EHIC and private health treatment
The EHIC, or European Health Insurance Card, is a free card that gives you access to state-provided, medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The EHIC is issued by your national health insurance provider.
It is important to note that the EHIC does not cover any private healthcare or costs. It is only valid for healthcare services provided by public health providers. If you require treatment, you will need to present your EHIC to the hospital or other service providers treating you, ensuring they are part of the public system.
In addition, the EHIC does not cover planned treatment in another EU country, nor does it cover costs associated with rescue and repatriation. For transport back to your home country after a serious illness or accident while visiting another EU country, separate insurance cover is necessary.
The EHIC is only valid for temporary stays, such as vacations, business trips, or studying abroad. For longer stays, you may need to register with a local health insurance provider or obtain separate insurance.
When travelling to Austria, the EHIC is attached to the back of the e-card, which serves as proof of entitlement to medical care. Each family member who is co-insured requires their own EHIC. To use the EHIC abroad, the data fields on the back of the e-card must be completed in full.
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EHIC and travel health insurance
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not a substitute for medical insurance but does entitle you to state-provided medical care at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It is important to note that the EHIC does not cover private health treatment in Austria, so you must ensure you are treated by a provider who has a contract with the GKK regional health insurance offices. Doctors who operate under the state system usually display signs saying "Kassenarzt" (meaning 'contracted doctor') or "alle Kassen" ('all insurers').
The EHIC is only valid if you are staying in Austria temporarily (e.g. on vacation, a business trip, or studying abroad). If you are staying in the country for longer than six months, you are considered a resident and will have to pay contributions to one of the local insurance institutions. You will then receive an e-card that will give you access to free healthcare when living in Austria. The e-card shows that you are insured in Austria and makes travelling abroad easier. The reverse of the e-card shows the EHIC.
For students, degree programme students at all universities may take out student self-insurance (Studierendenselbstversicherung). The main requirements for this are residence in Austria and confirmation of admission or continuation of your studies from the institution of higher education. The health insurance premium is around €24.42 a month for students who have access to the regional healthcare system.
It is important to remember that the EHIC is not a substitute for travel health insurance. For stays of up to six months in Austria, travel health insurance is probably sufficient. For stays of more than six months, proof of having health insurance that covers "all risks" is advisable.
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EHIC and eligibility for free health treatments
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not a substitute for medical insurance but does enable the cardholder to access state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. The EHIC is valid for citizens of EU/EEA countries (including Switzerland) who are temporarily staying in Austria, for example, on vacation or a business trip. It is important to note that the EHIC does not cover private health treatment, so you must ensure your treatment provider has a contract with the GKK regional health insurance offices. Doctors who operate under the state system usually display signs saying "Kassenarzt" (meaning "contracted doctor") or "alle Kassen" ("all insurers").
For those staying in Austria for longer than six months, you are considered a resident and will have to pay contributions to one of the local insurance institutions. You will then receive an e-card that will give you access to free healthcare when living in Austria. The e-card is issued to those with insurance in Austria and has the EHIC printed on the reverse. The EHIC can be used when travelling to most European countries (including the EU, EEA, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina). However, for Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, you must exchange the EHIC for a valid certificate of entitlement.
Students with valid insurance from the EU/EEA and Switzerland can receive treatment at a reduced cost or for free. However, an EHIC must be applied for before doing so. Degree programme students at Austrian universities may take out student self-insurance, which costs around €24.42 a month for those with access to the regional healthcare system.
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EHIC and acute illness cover
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a card that ensures you receive medically necessary state-provided medical care in accordance with the rules of the country you are visiting. It is important to note that the EHIC is only valid if you are staying in these countries temporarily, for example, on vacation, a business trip, or studying abroad.
In Austria, the EHIC is attached to the back of the e-card. The e-card makes travelling abroad easier for those insured in Austria. The EHIC is accepted in Austria and many other European countries, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, and more.
The EHIC covers immediate and necessary medical care for acute illnesses, such as broken legs, acute tooth pain, and viral infections. It also covers ongoing care for chronic conditions such as diabetes. However, it is important to note that the EHIC does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as return flights to your home country or lost/stolen property.
If you are travelling to Austria and require medical assistance, you can use your EHIC to receive treatment under the public system, including hospitals and doctors. However, if you require treatment from a private healthcare provider, the EHIC will not be valid, and you will need to pay for the treatment yourself.
In some cases, you may need to pre-arrange treatments with the relevant healthcare provider in the country you are visiting. For example, if you require kidney dialysis or chemotherapy, you will need to make arrangements in advance. It is also important to note that not all state healthcare is free, and you may have to pay for services that would typically be covered by your health insurance in your home country.
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Frequently asked questions
EHIC stands for European Health Insurance Card. It is attached to the back of the e-card in Austria.
EHIC enables the holder to access state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It covers medically necessary transport and treatment by a provider who has a contract with the GKK regional health insurance offices.
EHIC is freely available to citizens of member states of the EU/EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland.
No, EHIC is not a substitute for medical insurance. For stays of up to six months in Austria, travel health insurance is sufficient. For longer stays, you must pay contributions to one of the local insurance institutions.
Doctors and dentists who operate under the state system usually display signs saying "Kassenarzt", which means "contracted doctor", or "Alle Kassen", which means "all insurers".
